Peer Support Specialist

Overview

Seeking: Peer Support Specialist

• Peer Support Specialist Credential Required

FT Schedule: Monday

• Friday 6 AM - 2 PM

Our Benefits:

• Quarterly Bonus Program

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

• Competitive 401(k) plan

• Paid vacation and sick time

• STAR LRP Student Loan Forgiveness

• Early morning hours offering a great work/life balance

• Opportunity for growth that is second to none in the industry

Our Team:

Cedar Rapids Comprehensive Treatment Center, located in Cedar Rapids, IA, is part of Acadia Healthcare's Comprehensive Treatment Centers, the leading provider of medication-assisted treatment in the nation. Our mission is to provide full-circle care that includes a blend of therapies and the use of safe and effective medications. Our team is the front line of our fight against the opiate epidemic.

Your Job as a Peer Support Specialist:

Peer Support Specialist are vital to a recovery-oriented system of care and ongoing recovery from Opioid Use Disorder. Peer Support Specialist will break down barriers to treatment and bridge together the varying entities that help an individual transition away from illicit opioid use and maintain productive, long-term recovery. Additionally, the Peer Support Specialist will assist the patient in developing skills and enhancing strengths to avoid relapse and successfully navigate the full continuum of care and the road to long-term recovery.

Job Responsibilities:

• Acts as a mentor to individuals to promote decision making, empowerment and engagement

• Acts as a liaison between individuals, clinical team and community resources

• Takes role of advocate

• Engage individuals referred to treatment at the initial point of contact, clinic or other community provider, to expedite screening for the appropriate level of care.

• Provide peer support to clinically complex patients, drawing on common experiences as a peer, validate individuals' experiences and provide guidance and encouragement to promote individuals to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery

• Provides peer support knowledge related to treatment including methadone, buprenorphine or extended-release naltrexone injection maintenance treatment.

• Assist individuals in seeking and receiving services to meet individual social needs and provide support to facilitate patient success to maintain recovery.

• Assist in the process of acquiring housing, necessities and skills needed to maintain daily and monthly household responsibilities and independent living

• Assist the patient in establishing a relationship with a primary care provider or additional medical care in a coordinated/team approach

• Serve as consultants and subject matter experts in MAT and patient participation in community support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery.

• Serve as linkage between patients and employers in the area to assist patients in obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

• Assists with acquiring and developing life and social skills, education and other needs identified by the individual to promote quality of life after recovery

• Act as a role model for clients by sharing effective coping techniques and self-help strategies in promoting personal growth and development handling internal and external stressors

• Assists and promotes positive health, wellness and lifestyle choices

• Communicate client's status on a regular basis, including, but not limited to changes in mood or functioning, medical issues and all crisis and health and safety issues

• Document all "no shows," and communicate all difficulties contacting clients with appropriate office staff

• Document services provided regularly, concisely, and completely in accordance with clinical standards by office deadline

• Attend all office trainings as well as regular clinical supervision sessions with assigned supervisor

Qualifications

Required Education & Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required; college degree preferred

• Direct experience in substance abuse field through personal life experiences, instruction/internship or similar practicum through education or certification process

Your Skills as a Peer Support Specialist:

• Experience as a recipient of substance abuse services and is willing to use and share personal experience, knowledge and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients.

• Understands general addiction, other substance-related problems and available treatment options.

• General understanding of community resources and how to promote linkage between the patient and resource.

• Demonstrates sensitivity and understanding to each patient based on where they are in the recovery process and their current psychosocial needs.

• Experience assisting patients in developing skills and enhancing strengths to avoid relapse to successfully navigate the full continuum of care and the road to long-term recovery.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Peer Support Specialist credential required

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual's characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.